HRM Communities Get Sport, Recreation Investment

NOTE: A list of investments awarded in the HRM region follows this release.

People across Halifax Regional Municipality will soon have more opportunities and places to be physically active thanks to a $774,000 investment from the province's recreation facility development program.

Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection, announced the investments today, June 10, for community groups, not-for-profit organizations and associations in Halifax Regional Municipality.

"Providing children, families and seniors with accessible places to participate in sport and recreation is a key part of our plan to build safer, healthier communities," said Mr. Barnet. "These groups have worked hard to improve their communities and we are proud to support them with these investments."

The grants will be used to develop trail systems, build playgrounds, and construct skate boarding parks.

Recreation facility development is a $3-million program that helps municipalities and community groups plan, construct, renovate, conserve or acquire facilities for public recreation.

Eligible projects include community centres, pools, sport facilities, parks, playgrounds, trails and other outdoor facilities. Community groups develop facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation. They work with Health Promotion and Protection staff to plan projects and apply for funding.

The recreation facility development grant program provides up to one third of capital costs; communities are responsible for raising the rest. The program will help create about $14.5 million in construction through 84 organizations.

"Our goal is to make Nova Scotia the healthiest province in the country," said Mr. Barnet. "These announcements represent another positive step toward reaching that goal."

Recreation facility development is one part of the province's commitment to invest $68 million in sport and recreation infrastructure by the year 2017.

NOTE: A list of groups receiving funding is as follows:

• Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association: extend trail system, $50,000
• Friends of First Lake Society: upgrade trail, $50,000
• Halifax Curling Club: improve accessibility at club, $30,000
• HRM/Capital Projects Parks: replace Sackville skatepark, $30,000
• HRM/Caudle Park School: make playground more accessible, $25,000
• HRM/Cole Harbour Outdoor Pool and Tennis Association: upgrade mechanical and electrical systems, $50,000
• HRM/East Preston Recreation Centre: install multi-use court, $15,000
• HRM/Fleming Tower and John W. MacLeod School sites: improve playground, $30,000
• HRM/Haliburton Highbury Homeowners Association: develop multi-use park, $65,000
• HRM/Highland Park Ratepayer Association: upgrade area parks, $20,000
• HRM/Holland Road Elementary School: construct new playground, $30,000
• HRM/Kinap Athletic Club: install playground equipment, $10,000
• HRM/Lakeview, Windsor Junction, Fall River Ratepayers Association: build skatepark at Fall River Community Centre, $100,000
• HRM/Maplewood Community Association: develop playground, $37,000
• HRM/R.K. Turner Elementary School: replace playground equipment, $25,000
• HRM/Schwarzwald-Beech Hill Playground Association: develop new playground, $30,000
• HRM/Smokey Drive Elementary School: improve playground, $22,000
• HRM/St. Stephen's Elementary School Playground Committee: improve playground, $30,000
• HRM/Waverley Road Elementary School: improve playground, $15,000
• HRM/West Chezzetcook Playground Committee: improve playground, $15,000
• Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club (Canoe): install barrier-free access, $50,000
• Shubenacadie Canal Commission: continue to develop trail (phase 3 of 4), $45,000